CJE SeniorLife recently received a $25,000 contribution from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to assist Chicago’s older adults through a new program to promote healthy aging and food security. CJE’s Center for Healthy Living team is introducing a newly developed 4-week program, Food $ense, at various locations throughout the winter and spring of 2013 with the goal of providing tools to seniors to help them remain healthier longer.

Each session in the free Food $ense series will address a variety of healthy eating topics, all of which are easy on the wallet. During the 4-week time span, participants can expect to learn how to plan and prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals; grocery shop for nutrient dense food on a budget; cook one-pot meals that are nutritious, delicious, and easy on the budget (participants will prepare and taste a vegetarian dish together); and discover benefits they might be eligible to receive. Participants will also prepare and taste a low-sodium, high flavor meal with a slow cooker. In addition, those who attend three of the four classes in a series will be eligible to win a slow cooker to use at home.

“The goal of this innovative Walmart and CJE partnership is to move beyond just providing food for low income seniors; giving them the tools they need to achieve long-term food security and remain healthier longer. Through a series of four workshops, low income older adults will learn about the link between diet and health, shopping on a budget, how to cook, low cost nutritious meals and how to access food resources,” said Donna Pezzuto, CJE SeniorLife’s Senior Director, Healthy Aging Initiatives.

The Food $ense program will be introduced at different locations around the Chicago area over the next few months, beginning with a series at Farwell Residence on February 7. The program will also be presented at Care for Real and The Ark locations starting in March and April.

For more information about each session or to register, please call CJE SeniorLife’s Center for Healthy Living team at 773/508-1073.

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Since 1972, CJE SeniorLife has enhanced the lives of older adults and their families through an innovative, comprehensive network that includes life enrichment programs, supportive resources, healthcare, research and education. CJE is a partner in serving the community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. For more information about CJE services, call 773/508-1000 or visit www.cje.net.